Explore Scott and Shackleton’s famous Antarctic ship with an incredible “digital twin”

In 1901, the RRS Discovery helped usher in the “Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration” when it took explorers such as Robert Falcon Scott (who led the expedition) and Ernest Shackleton on their first voyage to the icy waters of the far south. Now, 123 years later, researchers have created a “digital twin” of the pioneering ship, offering new insights into the lives of Antarctic explorers.

A premiere of its kind

Built in Dundee, Scotland, the Royal Research Ship (RRS) Discovery was the world’s first ship specifically designed for scientific research in the harsh Antarctic environment, providing an ideal home for its crew while they conducted the first official British expedition to the region since 1839.

This famous voyage was also the starting point for some of the most influential figures in the history of Antarctic exploration, including the careers of Robert Falcon Scott (who led the expedition), Ernest Shackleton, Edward Wilson, Frank Wild, Tom Crean and William Lashly.

During the expedition, the team conducted scientific and geographical research on an essentially untouched and unknown continent. Their success was not only a milestone in the history of British Antarctic exploration, but also inspired subsequent voyages in the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration, in the years between the late 19th and 20th centuries.^th Century and the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition of 1921–1922.

Discoveries from the exploration included the emperor penguin colony at Cape Crozier and numerous marine species, snow-free dry valleys in the western mountains, the Antarctic Plateau – where the South Pole is located – and evidence that the ice barrier was a floating ice shelf.

Following this voyage, RRS Discovery made further Antarctic expeditions in 1925 and 1929, but then became a training ship based in London between 1931 and 1979. She then returned to Dundee in 1986, where she became a multi-award-winning visitor attraction run by the Dundee Heritage Trust. Each year the old Antarctic explorer attracts over 80,000 visitors who want to learn more about his career.

The “digital twin” comes to life

Using cutting-edge technology, a team led by researchers from the University of Southampton has now created a highly accurate 3D representation of the RRS Discovery. The new “digital twin” offers new insights into the construction and use of the ship, while also serving as a basis for ongoing restoration work on the original ship.

“This digital twin offers a fantastic opportunity for more people to explore this fascinating ship and learn about its history in a completely new way – including areas of the ship that are not accessible to the public,” said Dr. Michael Grant of the University of Southampton’s Coastal and Offshore Archaeological Research Services in a statement.

“This will allow us to gain even deeper insights into the lives of the people who explored Antarctica over a century ago and laid the foundation for much of today’s marine and climate research.”

The team created the rendering by taking digital images of the ship using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and laser scanners. The latter enabled the team to capture the ship’s precise shape, dimensions and details. This was complemented by LiDAR – a remote sensing technique that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser – and photogrammetry surveys, which created the highly accurate 3D representation of the entire ship, including its interior and exterior.

“With the advent of new technologies such as laser scanners and UAVs,” explained Dr. Felix Pedrotti of the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute at the University of Southampton, “we can now create highly accurate digital twins. These digital replicas provide invaluable insights into the RRS Discovery, including its structures and layouts.”

The creation of the digital representation coincides with a major centenary celebration for the ship. In 2023, RRS Discovery celebrated 100 years since being purchased by the British Government and converted to become the first Royal Research Vessel for Discovery Oceanographic Expeditions.

The year 2025 will mark the 100th anniversary of this expedition. It lasted until 1927 and provided valuable scientific insights, including a better understanding of whaling and the ecosystem of large whales, which in turn sparked conservation considerations.

“This digital model marks the start of an exciting project to collect the stories of the RRS Discovery, ensuring that all the artefacts and finds from these early expeditions are accessible to all, improving our understanding of the work the ship did then and how that research continues today,” said Dr Tammy Horton, Senior Research Scientist and Head of Discovery Collections at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.